Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you.

EDITION

THE BLOG

05/07/2012 05:21 pm ETUpdated
Jul 07, 2012

Analia Saban: Concept 85 Percent + Skill 65 Percent

By Tracey Harnish

Analia Saban was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Following undergraduate studies at Loyola University, New Orleans, La. (2001), Saban attended the University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her MFA in New Genres (2005). Her first solo exhibition was the same year while her success was solidified by subsequent solo exhibitions at Galerie Sprüth Magers Projekte, Munich (2007); Galerie Praz-Delavallade, Paris (2007, 2009, 2011); Thomas Solomon Gallery, Los Angeles (2009, 2011) and Josh Lilley Gallery, London (2010).

Why do you use these particular materials?

I use a spectrum of materials depending on what needs to be conveyed through the work.

Name an artist you'd like to be compared to.

László Moholy-Nagy.

What can't you live without?

Airplanes and books.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

During high school and college I had a Web hosting company to help pay for my tuition. Then, during my masters at UCLA, I walked a dog named Giotto Baldessari.

What forms first in your mind, a concept or a skill you want to explore?

C. 85 percent + S. 65 percent. Doesn't make sense, I know.

Does where you live influence your work?

Yes, I have always lived in my studio. Having an intimate relationship with the work, keeping it on my peripheral vision has been an important part of the process. I'm currently thinking of moving, but to a place next door with a connecting door.

Is there any kind of media that affects the way you approach your work (i.e., film, TV, radio, social networking, print)?

Yes, everything.

What's the most important career break you ever got?

I titled the first exhibition "Bit by Bit"; it was at gallery called Lightbox, run by Kim Light -- I don't know if one can say that it was my most important career break, but an opening. After that every bit has counted, every studio visit, every interaction, every exhibition.

What are the fundamental beliefs that drive the way you work?

I like to work as unconsciously as I can, letting ideas take over my production. I try to avoid "forcing" the creative process. I try to keep a constant level of experimentation, but sometimes I also have to sit, look at previous work, or experiments, or the empty wall, and wait.

What comes first in your work, pleasure or pain?

Sometimes, pleasure-pain, most of the time, pain-pleasure. A few times, pleasure-pleasure.